The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-11

loof ne was tue eStaDllSneu ruler OF
a territory which he speaks OF by the
native name Of Manduehs. The
limits of it are of course underlined
on any European maps, but
it may roughly be said
to lie between 25' and 23' east
longitude aud 9 aud 7 north latitude.
The account which he gives of the
organization and development OF this
State are extremely interesting. He
had to abolish native abuses, to put
down cannibalism, to teach the FIRST
principles of trade and agriculture,
TO Introduce Egyptian law, to estab-
lish schools for the teaching of
Arabic, to weld the country into a
whole by the opening of roads from
one end to the other, and above all
to maintain communication with the
civilized world. At the same time
in the interest OF order he had to put
down slave hunting aud defend him
self against the jealous potentates
upon his borders. To nurse civiliza-
ton from the cradle, and to protect
the nursing, was IN fact his task. He
appears to have performed it with su
ability which his most virulent enc
mics do not call into question. His
kingdom grew, the cities fourished,
his trade extended till caravans
from all parts Of the East began to
arrive almost daily in his capital.
One of the most vital principles Of
his policy was to open the roads, and
his name was so generally associated
with this policy that il was used as a
protection by all caravans, those of
slave dealers as well as others. He
attributed in great measure to this
circumstance his reputation for ave
dealing. He says OF himself that
every war he undertook, with the
exception OF those entered into for
the support OF friendly powers whom
he was bound to assist, was either
directly or indirectly for this cause.
IL was in consequence OF attacks
made upon his caravans that the war
with the Rejegats took place in 1874
and this led to the most famous
war in the Darfour which ended in
the conquest OF that great province.
As is we'll known, Zebehr offered the
fruits OF both these wars to Egypt,
aud in 1874 Dlriour was annexed to
Khartoum. The then governor OF
Khartoum, Ismail Yacoub, Of whose
obstructiyeness Gordon had subse-
quent experience, was man OF no
capacity. His own idea Of gov
eminent was taxation, and
he Immediately proceeded TO
tax DariOur in manner
which meant nothing but ruin 20
the province. Where two aud a
half pias,res would have been fair
he LAID upon the people q burden of
forty piastres. DaTfour was an old
province with an established govern
ment and cherished traditions. He
threw the great men and even
women into prison, and he insulted
and degraded the inhabitants in
every way. His rule, Hebehr told
him, was not government, but spoil
alton. 1t was on this ground tina,
Zebehr quarreled with him, and
went down himself in person tC
Cairo TO lay before the Khedive a
scheme for the reorganization and
government ofthe Soudan. He went
down ia great state and was re-
ceived with honor aud rejoicing al
all the towns through which he
passed. The Khedive entertained
him sumptuously. but when after
months of delay, Zebehr was at last
able TO lay before HIM the scheme he
had prepared, the Khedive con-
fessed that Egypt was not strong
enough 10 tolerate n neighbor 50
strong as DAriour under such CON
ditions might become, aud that
therefore h meant TO detain Habehr
at Cairo aud leave the SOudan to it;
fate.
What the fate of the Soudan hal
been is known only too sadly TO The
English people, whose responsibility
however unwillingly IL has beer
forced upon them, cannot be over.
looked. Zebohr predicted thirteen
years AGO what must be the inevita,
bic result Of the principles OF Turk
ish rule. The main lines OF his owl
scheme were IN many respects iden.
teal with those upon which Gordon
wished TO work, but the difficulties il
the way Of reform were toe many anC
great 10 be overcome by foreigner
Gordon recognized this himself. III,
believed that Iebehr was the onlj
man ia Egypt who could do wha
was wanted. lie asked again auC
again to have Zsbchr sociated will
him in responsibility at Khartoum
Iebehr was willing TO 60 aud 10 loav,
his family as hostages for his fail
dealing. He was conidobt that h,
would have achieved the publication
Of the Soudan and brought out tn,
garrisoDs, aud even TO th,
very end he was willing to 4
up alone at his own oxpens
and bring Gordon safely back. Blu
the government would not permit IL
Badly informed as England always !
in its dealings with native races,
preferred to act on its own iniorma
ton. How wrong IL was the sequc
has shown. The reasons for the sub
sequent imprisonment Of Iebehr a
Gibraltar have never been made pub
lie. Any justification which ma
exist for the action OF the govern
ment is still unknown, and in the Az
sence OF such justification II can onl
DO with regret that the public learn
the conditions attached 20 the r.
lease OF Zebehr Pacha. Not satii
fed with bungling itself. the govern
ment binds down an able man-ih
only one, perhaps, in Egypt VII
would retrieve some portion OF Oh
harm that has been dono-to waite
the disruption Of his country
silence.
FRANK RICHARDSON. the accom-
plished correspondent OF the BALI
more Sun, writing from LondC
about tho iamous docks Of that M